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NTSB Report

December 6, 1998 · Univair 7GC-AA · N31253

Garner, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Garner, VA
Aircraft
Univair 7GC-AA
Tail Number
N31253
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA034

After releasing a glider, the pilot performed a left spiral to lose altitude, and entered the traffic pattern. After completing the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, the pilot established the airplane on an offset final for the runway. The airplane touched down on the first 1/3 of the runway and started to roll out. During rollout, the pilot 'tapped' the brakes and felt the airplane pull to the right. The pilot then 'tapped' the left brake and the airplane straightened out, but when the left brake pressure was removed the airplane once again turned to the right. Because of a right crosswind, the pilot thought the right turn was the airplane trying to weathervane, so he added full left rudder, which had no effect. With full left rudder, the tailwheel off the ground, and approximately 35 mph of airspeed, the pilot reapplied the left brake. When the left brake was applied, the airplane stopped abruptly and nosed over. After the accident, while the airplane was still inverted maintenance personnel had difficulty rotating the right tire by hand, but once it started to rotate, it did so freely. There were no mechanical failures with the right wheel assembly.

NTSB Probable Cause

A jammed right wheel for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On December 6, 1998, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Univair 7GC-AA, N31253, was substantially damage while landing at a private airstrip near Garner, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the glider tow conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to tow a glider to 3,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL), release it, and return. Prior to the accident flight the pilot conducted two similar flights and noticed no mechanical problems with the airplane. On the accident flight, the pilot towed a glider to 3,000 feet MSL, released the glider, preformed a left spiral to lose altitude, and entered the traffic pattern via a left crosswind. The pilot then completed the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, before establishing the airplane on an offset final for runway 20. The pilot flew an offset final because of the tow rope and a small building on the approach end of runway. The airplane touched down on the first 1/3 of the runway and started to rollout. While the airplane was rolling out, the pilot "tapped" the brakes and felt the airplane pull to the right. The pilot then "tapped" the left brake and the airplane straightened out, but when the left brake pressure was removed the airplane once again turned to the right. Because of a right crosswind, the pilot thought the right turn was the airplane trying to weathervane, so he added full left rudder, which had no effect. With full left rudder, the tailwheel off the ground, and approximately 35 mph of airspeed, the pilot reapplied the left brake. When the left brake was applied, the airplane stopped abruptly and nosed over. The pilot stated that the runway was approximately 2,500 feet long and orientated on a magnetic heading of 200 degrees. He added that the winds were out of the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, and "weather was not a factor in the accident." After the accident, while the airplane was still inverted maintenance personnel had difficulty rotating the right tire by hand, but once it started to rotate, it did so freely. A Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector examined the right wheel assembly and found no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EST
Nearest AirportGarner Field (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftUnivair 7GC-AA
Tail NumberN31253
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind279° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data